John Holt - Living Legend Award 2004 ReggaeSoca Music Awards

Born on July 2, John Holt grew up in Greenwich Farm area of Kingston, near the Kingston Harbor. Today John still loves to spend time at the Greenwich Farm Beach, swimming and roasting Fish.

John began his musical career by competing on the Opportunity Hour shows organized by Joseph Verejohns. "Verejohns was great for giving the youths a chance and developing talent says John Holt "Sometime he's sort of forgotten, but we can not forget him because he is the one who gave early opportunities to Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown, Bob Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Ken Boothe and many others." This was in the days when Opportunity Hour held finals at the Majestic, Palace and other theaters, giving young performers the opportunity to try out their sound before a live audience. After winning Opportunity Hour a record number twenty-eight times the young John Holt was accosted by Leslie King with a recording deal for Thirty Pounds. His first recorded song as "Forever I Will Stay".

In 1964, John teamed up with Alton Ellis to record "Rum Bumpers" that went #1 on the charts. As John grew in popularity, he received an invitation to be a member of the Paragons as lead singer. Together with Bob Andy, Tyrone Evans and Howard Barnett the Paragons made sweet music that is loved

to this day in Jamaica. From 1965- 1968 Rock Steady ruled Jamaica.Who can forget the Rock Steady sounds of the Paragons "Wear you to the Ball" "Only a Smile", "Talking Love", "Happy Go Lucky Girl"? From 1965 -1970 sixteen Paragon singles reached #1 on Jamaica's charts."The songs played on the radio," says John "but you don't get any money."  

John has that magical ability to make a song stay in your mind, whether he  is writing lyrics and melody or singing. Think of "Happy Go Lucky Girl," "Love at last," "Stick By Me," "Love I Can Feel," "Left with a Broken Heart," "Police in Helicopter." You can still hear them and you can still feel them.  These songs pass the test of time, every time. These are also the songs he has written and others he  has performed including, "The Tide is High" (Blondie) "Wear You to the Ball" (UB40)."Stick By Me" (UB40), "Ok  Fred"  (Errol  Dunkley), "Tell  me Why" (Musical Youth).

The Paragons broke up when Tyrone Evans and Howard Barnett emigrated in search of economic betterment. John's first solo hit was called "Tonight" followed by "Stick by Me" which stayed on Jamaica's charts for 23 weeks! He then signed with Trojan Records, which was at the time one of the largest distributors of West Indian Music. " 1000 Volts of Holt" an album release and a single from the album " Help Me Make It Through the Night" went to #3 on the British National charts. Just when John was gaining popularity,Trojan mismanagement of financial matters led to a collapse of the company. He was unable to collect his royalties and recorded material which would never become released. John felt as though his career had been sabotaged. Still John pressed on, releasing 2,000 and 3,000 Volts of Holt for Saga Records.

John Holt says nothing is done before its time, everything takes time. "Sometimes when it is a struggle is really when you will know the sweetness if you go through the struggle. From you do a work, through the inspiration of Jah everything happen for a purpose. Sometime you don't know why you have to go through a struggle, but after a time you see the reason creativity comes from Jamaica. The foundations have been laid for reggae music, so it's a higher struggle now."